Surface treating apparatus

ABSTRACT

In surface treating apparatus having rotatable treating members movable over a surface, a container for liquid wax which is positioned in a compartment and has an outlet at its bottom normally closed by a valve having a vertically movable stem. A quantity of liquid wax is dispensed from the container each time the valve is moved upward from its closed position and returned thereto. The container is prevented from moving upward in its compartment when the valve is moved from its closed position by an upward force applied to the valve stem.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,742,546 Crner et al. July 3, 1973 [5SURFACE TREATING APPARATUS 3,123,851 3/1964 Arndt et al. 401/1382,069,673 2/1967 Lima....' 222/453 [751 Inventors! ,98 9" TabX; Ame3,054,134 9/1962 Meyerhoefer.... 222/453 x Blaeldh, Skarholmen; 1; 3,55,312 6/1970 Heier 222/453 x Ca l-0ska o e una, a of 2,466,899 4/1949Kincaid..... 222/453 x Sweden 2,054,881 9/1936 Saunders 222/453 x [73]'Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux, Stockholm,

Sweden Primary ExaminerEdward L. Roberts 22 F-I M 10, 1971 AssistantExaminer-C. K. Moore l ay Atl0rneyEdmund A. Fenander [2i] Appl. No.:141,832

. Related U.S. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 884,166, Dec. 1 1,I969, Pat. No. 3,639,939.

[30] 7 Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. ll, I968 Sweden 16899/68U.S. Cl. 15/50 R, 15/320 Int. Cl A47l ll/l6 Field of Search... 15/49 R,50 R, 320;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,333,288 8/1967 Zieglerl5/320 X [57] ABSTRACT In surface treating apparatus having rotatabletreating members movable over a surface, a container for liquid waxwhich is positioned in a compartment and has an outlet at its bottomnormally closed by a valve having a vertically movable stem. A quantityof liquid wax is dispensed from the container each time the valve ismoved upward from its closed position and returned thereto. Thecontainer is prevented from moving upward in its compartment when thevalve is moved from its closed position by an upward force applied tothe valve stem. g

7 Claims, 26 Drawing Figures PATENIEU JUL 3 i975 SHEEI 1 0F 7 IPATENTEDJUL 3 I973 SHEEF 2 0F 7 PATENTEDJUL 3 ms 3,742.546

sum 6 or 7 PATENIEDJUL 3 I915 3. 742.546

sum 70F 7 F/G.22 F/G.23 F/G.24

SURFACE TREATING APPARATUS This application is a division of ourapplication Ser. No. 884,166, filed Dec. 11, 1969, now US. Pat. No.3,639,939, for Combination Surface Treating and Suction CleaningApparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of our invention to provide animproved surface treating apparatus having rotatable brushes movableover a surface to be treated, and more particularly to provide suchapparatus which is capable of functioning as a floor polisher, scrubber,cleaner or sander and has protective features which prevent malfunctionthereof.

Another object is to provide a surface treating apparatus of thecharacter described having a compact arrangement of its components whichfunction to effect cleaning or waxing and polishing or shampooing of asurface with the aid of one of several containers installed thereon andeach of which is adapted to hold a different kind of liquid treatingsubstance.

'A further object is to provide surface treating apparatus having acompartment for holding a container for liquid wax which has an outletat its bottom normally closed by a vertically movable valve andmechanisms which function to prevent the container from moving upward inits compartment when the valve is moved upward from its closed positionby force applied thereto to dispense a quantity of liquid wax.

In accordance with our invention we provide a control member movablebetween first and second positions, the control member in its firstposition closing an opening in the air passageway of a suction cleaningcomponent of the apparatus so that the apparatus can be operated as asuction cleaner. With the control member in its first position mechanismfor dispensing liquid wax from a container onto a surface is renderedinoperable and a vessel for holding a body of liquid treating agent,such as liquid detergent, for example, cannot be mounted on theapparatus for dispensing such liquid onto a surface.

When the control member is in its second position the opening in the airpassageway of the suction cleaning component of the apparatus isuncovered so that ambient air will be drawn into the air passageway by afan whereby the apparatus cannot be operated as a vacuum cleaner. Withthe control member in its second position the mechanism for dispensingliquid wax from its container is rendered operable and the vessel forthe liquid treating agent can be removably mounted on the apparatus fordispensing such liquid therefrom.

The mechanism for dispensing liquid wax from its container and themechanism for dispensing treating liquid from the vessel include partswhich are common to both'mechanisms, such parts operating in one manherto dispense liquid wax from the container when the vessel for liquidtreating agent is not mounted'on the apparatus and operating in anothermanner to dispense liquid treating agent from the vessel when it ismounted on the. apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a front perspective view of acombined surface treating and polishing and' suction cleaning apparatusembodying our invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the bottompart thereof being in horizontal section and the upper part thereofbeing in vertical section to illustrate details more clearly;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 witha vessel for dispensing liquid treating agent mounted thereon;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the housing mounted on thehandle of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the housing shown in FIG. 4 with thecover thereof open;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the top of thehandle of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken at line 77 ofFIG. 5 before a dust bag is positioned in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1and 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating therelationship of the parts when a dust bag is positioned in the apparatusshown in FIGS. 1 and 5;

. FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG.ldiagrammatically illustrating the manner in which liquid wax isdispensed on a surface being treated;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the container adapted to hold a bodyof liquid wax;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the manner inwhich the container is positioned in a compartment of the housing shownin FIG. 4-,

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the bottom part ofthe wax container;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 12 illustrating the parts indifferent positions;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a bottom pan for the apparatus shown inFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken at line 1515 ofFIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a vertical view diagrammatically illustrating the dispenserfor liquid treating agent shown in FIG. 3 at the upper part of thehandle; I

FIG. 17 is an enlarged elevational view, partly broken away and insection, of the top part of the handle shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of parts shown in FIG.17;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 18 with parts shown indifferent positions;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view taken at line 2020 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 20 with parts shown indifferent positions;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary sectional view taken at line 22-22 of FIG. 4',

FIGS. 23 and 24 are sectional views similar to FIG. 22 in which partsare shown in different positions;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged perspective view of details shown in FIGS. 22, 23and 24', and

FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of parts shown in FIG. 25.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. '1 and 2 ofthe drawing, we have The brushes 11, 12 and 14 are rotatable on shafts16 which are provided at the underside of the unit or base and arrangedto be driven by an electric motor 17, as will be described presently.

The combined surface treating and polishing and suction cleaningapparatus 10 is adapted to be manipulated by handle structure 18 havinga housing 19 and spaced elongated members 20 which extend verticallyupward from opposing sides of the housing 19, the upper ends of themembers 20 being connected by a cross bar 21. To the cross bar 21 isfixed block 22 having a part 22a which is inclined to the vertical andto the upper end of which is fixed a handle or hand grip 23.

In order to be able to vary the effect of the weight of the electricmotor 17 on the brushes 11, 12 and 14, the

electric motor is mounted in the housing 19 on the handle structure 18.As seen in FIG. 2, the electric motor 17 and a fan 24 form a motor-fanunit 25 which is carried by framework 26 within the housing 19. Themotor 17 is provided with a shaft 27 having a driving pulley 28 which isconnected by an endless belt 29 to a pulley 30 fixed to an end of adrive shaft 31 journaled in bearing 32 and 33, respectively, which areprovided at the underside of the base or unit 15.

The drive shaft 31 is formed with a worm 34 arranged to drive a wormgear 35 which is fixed to the brush 11 and rotatable on one of theshafts 16. The brush 11 can be employed to impart rotating movement tothe brushes 12 and 14. This may be accomplished, for example, byarranging the brushes so that the rim of the brush 11 frictionallyengages the rims of the brushes 12 and 14.

The housing 19 is provided with a pair of vertically disposed hollowlegs 36 and 37 which are closed at their lower ends and terminate at theaxis of the drive shaft 31. The endless belt 29, which forms themechanism operatively connecting the motor shaft 27 and drive shaft 31,is disposed in the leg 37 of the housing 19.

The hollow leg 36 of the housing 19 forms part of a passageway for airhaving an air inlet 38 and an air outlet 39. The air inlet 38 receivesair from the underside of the unit or base 15. The hollow leg 36, whichis defined in part by the framework 26 within the housing 19, extendslengthwise of the housing at one side thereof from the air inlet 38 tothe end of the housing remote from the base 15. The housing 19 isprovided with a removable cover 40 which is hinged at 41 and providedwith a suitable latch orfastener 42.

Within the cover 40 is arranged a conduit 43 which may be formed ofplastic and has one end communicating with the hollow leg 36. Theopposite end of the conduit 43 is connected to a tubular member 43awhich extends into the air inlet 44a of an end cover 44b of a dust bag44 supported at an opening in a partition 45 provided at the upper endof the housing 19. The tubular member 43a is provided with a suitablegasket 46 which is adapted to bear against the end cover 44b and form anair-tight seal to make certain that all of the air flowing through theconduit 43 and tubular member 43a will be introduced into the dust bag44. The dust bag 44 is disposed in a chamber 47 defined in part by motor17, endless belt 29, worm 34 and worm gear 35 so as to polish or buffthe floor or other surface over which the apparatus 10 is being moved.Simultaneously, motor 17 drives the fan 24 so that the suction or vacuumthus created produces air flow into the suction inlet 48a at the bottomof a nozzle 48 which is provided with bristles 48b and disposed at theunderside of the base 15 and connected by a conduit 49 to the air inlet38, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 12.

The dust laden air drawn through the suction inlet 48a of the nozzle 48flows through conduit 49 to the air inlet 38 and thence through thehollow leg 36 and the conduit 43 and tubular member 43a into theinterior of the porous dust bag 44. Air from which dust has been removedflows through the bag 44 into chamber 47. Such air is discharged by thefan 24 through the motor 17 into a chamber 50 from which the air flowsfrom housing 19 through the air outlet 39.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the lower end of thehandle structure 18 is pivoted on the base or unit 15 at the bearings 32and 33, so that the handle structure 18 will be angularly movable on thebase 15 while manipulating the apparatus 10 over a surface beingtreated. By angularly moving the handle structure 18 from and toward itsupright position on the base, the effect of the weight of the motor 17on the brushes 11, 12 and 14 can be varied.

In order to prevent the apparatus 10 from being operated when there isno dust bag 44 in the housing 19, we provide protective mechanism whichacts to prevent the cover 40 from being moved to its closed position onthe housing 19 so that the latch 42 cannot function to lock the cover.As best seen in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, the protective mechanism includes aprong 51 on the cover 40 which is adapted to project through an opening52 of the partition 45 and another opening 53 in a platform 54 of thehousing 19 beneath the partition 45. The partition 45 is apertured toreceive a slide block 55 which has an opening 56 and is movable on theplatform 54 between the two positions shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The slide block 55 is formed with an upstanding lug 55a which is notchedto receive an edge of the end cover 44b of the dust bag 44 when it ispositioned over the opening in the partition 45. Under these conditionsthe slide block 55 is moved from its position in FIG. 7 to its positionin FIG. 8 against the action of a spring 57, thereby bringing theopening 56 in the slide block 55 in alignment with the openings 52 and53 in the partition 45 and platform 54 and permitting the prong 51 topass through the openings 52, 56 and 53, as seen in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 8 the slide block 55 has been moved toward the right to such anextent that the outer lip 55b thereof projects exteriorly of the housing19 and is adapted to be engaged by a cooperating lip 42a of the latch 42on the cover 40 to hold the latter in its closed position. When no dustbag 44 is positioned in the housing 19 the slide block 55 is biased toits position in FIG. 7 by the spring 57. Under these conditions theopening 56 in the slide block 55 is out of alignment with the openings52 and 53 and functions as a stop to prevent prong 51 in the cover 40from moving from its position in FIG. 7 to its position in FIG. 8. InFIG. -7 it will be seen that lip 55b of the slide block 55 does notproject exteriorly of the housing 19 so that latch 42 cannot function tohold the cover 40 closed, thus preventing the apparatus from beingoperated to perform suction cleaning.

The cover 40 can be formed of a suitable plastic with the latch 42 anintegral part of the cover. The latch 42 can be connected at 42b to thecover 40 in a resilient manner, thus permitting the latch 42 to beflexed outward from its latching position in FIG. 8 to permit the cover40 to be moved from its closed to its open position.

A pan 58of the shape shown in FIG. 14 may be positioned at the undersideof the base 15 when the apparatus 10 is not being used to performpolishing. The pan 58 includes a flat bottom 58a and an upstanding sidewall 58b which is disposed about the base. The flat bottom'58a is formedwith an elongated recessed portion 58c which extends into the suctioninlet 48a of the nozterial like plastic, for example, which has a lowcoeffi-.

cient of friction, the pan 58 can be employed as a suction nozzle forvacuum cleaning rugs and similar articles. Accordingly, the elongatedrecessed portion 580 of the pan 58 is formed with an intermediate hollowtubular section- 58d which extends vertically upward I within thesuction inlet 48a of the nozzle 48.

A container 61, which is provided with a suitable filling cap 61a andadapted to hold a body of liquid treating agent, is removably held onthe handle structure 18 on top of the housing 19. By way of example, theliquid in the container 61 may be of a type for shampooing rugs or forwashing floors. The flow of liquid discharged through the bottom opening62 in the container 61 is controlled by a needle valve 63, as shown inFIG. 16.

The valve 63 is connected to the lower end of an elongated rod 64, theupper end of which projects through a top opening 65 in the container61. A valve 66 fixed to the rod 64 is adapted to close the top opening65. The valves 63 and 66 are urged to their closed positions by aresilient spring 67 which is disposed about the rod 64 between the valve66 and hub 68a of a spider 68 which is mounted in the container 60 andformed with spaced radial arms 68b.

The needle valve 63 is moved from its closed position by impartingdownward movement to the upper end of the rod 64. When the valve 63 ismoved from its closed position, the valve 66 also will be moved downwardfrom its closed position to provide an air vent'at the top opening 65 ofthe container 60, so that the inside of the container will be atatmospheric pressure to promote flow of liquid through the bottomopening 62.

The cover 40 of the housing 19 is provided with a tapered funnel 70which projects upward from the underside of the cover when the latter isin its open position, as shown in FIG. 4. When the cover 40 is moved toits closed position seen in FIG. 5, the funnel 70 is inverted from theposition shown in FIG. 5 and its narrow open end 70a enters an openingdefined by a collar 71 in the partition 45 of the housing 19.

When the container 61 is removably mounted on the handle structure 18,the container rests on the cover 40 of the housing 19 and the bottomtapered part 61b of the container 61 nests in the funnel 70, as seen inFIG. 16. A flexible tube 72 is connected at its upper end to the bottomof the collar 71. The tube 72 passes through an opening in the top ofthe base 15 and terminates at a region 72a within the base which isclosely adjacent to the surface being treated at the vicinity of thebrushes 11, 12 and 14.

With the container 61 in its mounted position on the handle structure18, downward movement is imparted to the upper end of the vertical rod64 by a rod 74 which is vertically movable in a hollow sleeve 75 in thecross bar 21 at the upper end of the handle structure. The rod 74 is invertical alignment with the rod 64 and biased upward by a coil spring 76disposed about the rod 74 between a top ledge 21a of the cross bar 21and an operating button 77 at the upper end of the rod 74. By depressingthe button 77 the rod 74 is moved downward which in turn moves rod 64downward so that liquid from the container 61 will be dispensed on thesurface being treated in the manner just explained.

A container 80, which is adapted to hold a body of liquid wax for waxingand polishing a surface being treated, is removably held in acompartment 82 adjacent a vertical side wall of the housing 19. Thelower end of the container 80, which may be formed of plastic, forexample, is provided with a cap 83 which is threadedly connected theretoat 84 and formed with outlet 85.

Valve structure 86 is provided for controlling the discharge of liquidwax from the container 80. The valve structure 86 includes a verticallymovable valve stem 87 having a valve 88 which moves toward and from itsseat 89 within cap 83 and a disc 90 which moves toward its seat 91 atthe bottom edge of an inner vertical wall 92 of an inverted U-shapedpart 93 of annular form having a longer outer vertical wall 94 with itslower end threadedly connected at 95 to the cap 83. A coil spring 96between the vertical walls 92 and 94 has one end bearing against theclosed upper end of the walls and its opposite end against the disc 90to resiliently bias the valve 88 downward to its closed position againstthe seat 89, as shown in FIG. 12.

When the container is prevented from moving upward in its compartment 82and upward movement is imparted to the valve stem 87 to open valve 88and close disc 90 against its seat 91, as will be explained presently, ameasured quantity of liquid wax will pass from the container through theoutlet 85. This measured quantity of liquid wax is held in chamber 97between the valve seat 89 and the disc seat 91. When the valve stem 87subsequently moves downward by the biasing action of the spring 96, thevalve 88 closes against its seat 89 and the disc 90 moves from its seat91 so that the chamber 97 again will be filled with liquid wax betweenthe valve seat 89 and disc seat 91 below a body of trapped air in theannular gap between the vertical walls 92 and 94.'

The chamber 97 is in communication with the atmosphere only at theoutlet after liquid wax has been discharged from the chamber. When thevalve stem 87 moves downward and the disc moves from its seat 91 andvalve 88 closes against its seat 89, liquid wax is introduced into thechamber 97 and a body of air is trapped therein above such liquid, asjust explained.

' it in its inverted position and removing the threadedly connected cap83 and valve structure 86 associated therewith.

Upward movement is imparted to valve 87 of the container 80 by mechanismwhich includes the vertical rod 74 having the operating button 77 at itsupper end, as shown in FIG. 6. The rod 74 is formed with a shoulder 100from which depends a rod section 101 of smaller cross-sectional areathan the rod 74. Under certain conditions that will be explainedpresently, the rod 74 and rod section 101 pass through a laterallyoffset portion 102 of an opening 103 formed in one arm of a lever 104pivotally mounted at 105 in the cross arm 21, as shown in FIGS. 18 and20. Under the conditions assumed the shoulder 100 of the rod 74 willengage the part of lever 104 defining the laterally offset portion 102of the opening 103. This depresses one arm of the lever 104 when theoperating member 77 is depressed and raises the other arm, as seen inFIG. 18, to which the upper end of an elongated cable 106 is fixed.

The cable 106 extends downward through the upper part of the handlestructure 18 and the compartment 82 of the housing 19 in which thecontainer 80 is adapted to be positioned. The lower end of the cable 106is fixed to the outer end of a lever 1-07 hinged at 108 to the housing19. When thecable 106 is raised it functions to move the lever 107clockwise in FIG. 11 about its hinge 108 and a part 107a of the levermoves upward against the lower end of the valve stem 87 to open valve88, as explained above. When the operating button 77 is released thespring 74 in the cross bar 21 of the handle structure 18 functions toraise rod 74 so that the shoulder 91 thereof no longer presses down onone arm of the lever 104. When this occurs the spring 96 of the valvestructure 86 functions to move the valve stem 87 downward to close thevalve 88 and move the disc 90 from its seat 91.

In view of the foregoing, it will be noted that the operating button 77is depressed to effect downward movement of the rod 74 when it isdesired to dispense treating liquid from the container 61 and also todischarge liquid wax from the container 80. When the container 61 is notmounted on the handle structure 18 on top of the housing 19, the lever104 is in such a position on the cross arm 21 that the rod 74 and lowerrod section 101 are at the immediate vicinity of the laterally offsetportion 102 of the opening 103 in the lever 104, as seen in FIG. 20.Hence, when the operating button 77 is depressed and the container 61 isnot mountedon the handle structure 18, the shoulder 100 on the rod 74can engage the lever 104 and move it clockwise in FIG. 18 and effectupward movement of the cable 106, as explained above.

However, when the container 61 is mounted on the handle structure 18, anupward extending finger 109 at the top of the container 61 exerts forceon the lever 104, as seen at F in FIG. 21, to shift the lever laterallyfrom the position shown in FIG. to the position shown in FIG. 21. Thisis made possible by providing a bushing 110 of resilient material, suchas rubber, for example, at the pivotal mounting 105 for the lever 104which permits the lever to shift in a direction parallel to the axisabout which it pivots so that it can move from the position shown inFIG. 20 to the position shown in FIG. 21 when subjected to the force Fby the .finger 109 of the container 61. Under these conditions the rod74, when the operating button 77 is depressed, can only function toimpart downward movement to rod 64 in the container 61 and is notoperatively associated with the lever 104. When the container 61 isremoved from the handlestructure 18 the resilient bushing biases thelever 104 laterally from its position in FIG. 21 to its position in FIG.20, so that the rod 74 is again operatively associated with the lever104.

When upward movement is imparted to the valve stem 87 of the valvestructure 86 to open the valve 88, the container 80 is prevented frommoving upward in the compartment 82 by an angularly movable bar when itis in the position shown in FIg. 23. It will be noted that the bottom ofthe bar 120 bears against the ,top 80a of the container 80 which slopesdownward from the horizontal. The bar 120 comprises a bottom lever orhalf 121 and a top finger or half 122. The bottom half 121 is in theshape of an angle member having a short arm 121a at an obtuse angle toits longer arm 121b. The bottom half 121 is U-shaped in transversesection and the spaced sides thereof are apertured at 123 to receive adownward depending lug on the top finger 122 which is apertured at 124.A pin extends through the apertures 123 and 124 to pivotally connect thetop and bottom halves 122 and 121 of the bar 120.

The top and bottom halves 122 and 121 are resiliently biased toward oneanother by a coil spring 126 of the shape shown in FIG. 25. The spring126 includes a first coil section 1260 which is mounted on the pin 125between the spaced sides of the bottom lever 12] alongside the aperturedlug of the top finger 122. A second coil section 126b of the spring 126is positioned below the first coil section 1260 and from the latter aspring arm 126C extends upward and bears against a flat surface 1220 ofthe top finger 122, so that a part 122b thereof will bear against shortarm 121a of the bottom lever 121, as seen in FIG. 22.

A spring arm 126d, which has a bent end .1262, extends from the firstcoil section 1260 and is held in an upstanding lug 127 of partitioning128 in the housing 19 which includes a vertical wall 128a extending downfrom the lug 127 and a small platform l28b at the bottom of the verticalwall 128a. It now will be understood that the bar 120 is supported onthe partitioning 128 by the spring arm 126d and is angularly movablebetween the positions shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 about the pin 125 whichalso is supported by the spring arm 12611. Also, the spring arm 126Cresiliently biases the top half or lever 122 toward the bottom half 121so that the bottom and top halves 121 and 122 will be in alignment.

The bar 120 just described cooperates with a control member 130 which isprovided in the cover 40 of the housing 19. As best seen in FIG. 4, thecover 40 is formed with an opening 131 adapted to be opened and closedby the control member 130 which is in the form of a shutter or screen.The outer free edge of the control shutter 130 is provided with twoflanges 132 and 133, one of which projects upward and the otherdownward, as seen in FIG. 22.

When it is desired to operate the apparatus 10 to effect suctioncleaning in the manner explained above,

9 the control shutter 130 is moved to its closed position shown in FIG.22 with the flange 132 bearing against an edge of the opening 131. Theconduit 43 in the cover 40 and through which dirt laden air flows to thedust bag 44, is provided with an opening 134. As will be best understoodfrom FIG. 4, the control shutter 130 in its closed position will overliethe opening 134 in the conduit 43 and hence the only air that can flowto dust bag 44 when the motor-fan unit 25 is being operated will be thedirt laden air flowing through the conduit 43 from the suction nozzle48.

When the control shutter 130 is in its closed position, it also willoverlie the large end of the funnel 70 so that the container 61 cannotbe mounted on the handle structure 18 on top of the housing 19. This isso because the control shutter 130 under these conditions will preventthe bottom'tapered part 61b of the container 61 from nesting in thefunnel 70. In addition, the bar 120 remains in an erect or uprightposition when the control shutter 130 is closed, as shown in FIG. 22.Under these conditions, the bar 120 cannot function to prevent upwardmovement of the wax container 80 when an attempt is made to move valvestem 87 upward by pushing down the operating button 77.

With the control shutter 130 closed and the apparatus 10 functioning asa suction cleaner, it will be understood that the brushes ll, 12 and 14will be driven to buff and polish a surface being treated. However,under these conditions no wax can be dispensed on the surface from thewax container 80 and no treating liquid can be discharged from thecontainer 61 for the reason that it cannot be mounted on the handlestructure 18.

When the control shutter 130 is moved from its closed position in FIG.22 to its open position in FIG. 23, the flange 133 acts on the top half122 of the bar 120, and, due to the resilient biasing action of thespring arm 1260 which holds the top half 122 against the bottom half 121of the bar, the bar as a unitary structure will be moved angularly in aclockwise direction about the pin 125 and'move the bottom half 122 ofthe bar 120 against the sloping top surface 80a of the container 80 toprevent the latter from moving upward in the compartment 82 of thehousing 19 when upward movement is imparted to the valve stem 87 of thevalve structure 86 at the bottom of the container.

In the event the cover 40 of the housing 19 should be opened while thecontrol shutter 130 is open and the bar 120 is acting on the top surface80a of the container, the bar will then move to an erect or uprightposition, as shown in FIG. 24. If the cover 40 is now moved back to itsclosed position while the control shutter 130 remains open, the flange133 on the shutter 130 will be to the right of the bar 120. In order tobe able to move the bar 120 to its operative position against the topsurface 80a of the container 80, it now is necessary to initially movethe control shutter 130 toward its closed position past the top half 122of the bar so that the different parts will be in the positions shown inFIG. 22. Thereafter, the control shutter 130 can be moved to its openposition and the flange 133 will function to move the bar 120 to itsinclined position in FIG. 23 against the top surface 80a of thecontainer.

The control shutter 130 can move from its position in FIG. 24 to itsposition in FIG.'23 because, when the flange 133 strikes the top half122 of the bar 120, the top half 122 will pivot counterclockwise aboutthe pin 125 against the resilient biasing action of the spring arm 126e,as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 24. While the top half 122 is beingmoved about the pin 125 in this manner the vertical wall 128a functionsto hold the bottom half 121 in an erect or upright position. When theflange 133 moves clear of the top half 122 of the bar l20,'both halvesof the bar 120 will assume an u'pright position with the flange 133 atthe left of the bar 120, as shown in FIG. 22.

When the control shutter 130 isin its open position seen in FIG'. 4 theshutter does not overlie the opening 34 in the conduit 43. Hence, whenthe brushes ll, 12 and 14 are being driven by the motor l7,'the fan 24will function to draw air into the dust bag 44. However, all of this airis not flowing from the nozzle 48 and a large part of it will be ambientair drawn into the conduit 43 through the opening 134. Under theseconditions the apparatus 10 cannot function properly as a suctioncleaner.

We claim:

1. In surface treating apparatus of the class described comprising:

a. rotatable surface treating means movable over a surface to betreated,

b. means including an electric motor for driving said rotatable surfacetreating means,

c. a housing having a compartment,

d. a container for holding a body of liquid wax, said container beingdisposed in said compartment and having an outlet at the bottom thereof,

e. first mechanism including a vertically movable valve stem and a valvemounted thereon for dispensing a quantity of liquid wax from the outletof said container each time the valve stem is moved upward from a valveclosed position and returned thereto,

f. said first mechanism further including means for imparting upwardmovement to said valve stem,

g. second mechanism acting on said container to prevent the latter frommoving upward in said compartment when upward movement is imparted tosaid valve stem by said movement impartment means, and

h. a control member movable between first and second positions, suchthat when said control member is in its first position, said secondmechanism is inoperable to prevent said container from moving upward .insaid compartment, and when said control member is in its secondposition, it functions to render said second mechanism operable toprevent said container from moving upward in said compartment.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said first mechanismcomprises structure defining a chamber and means whereby a measuredquantity of liquid wax is introduced into said chamber each time saidvalve stem is returned to a valve closed position and such measuredquantity of liquid wax is discharged from said chamber through theoutlet of said container each time the valve stem is moved upward from avalve closed position, said structure being so constructed and arrangedthat said chamber is in communication with the atmosphere only throughsaid outlet after liquid wax has been discharged therefrom whereby abody of air is trapped in said chamber above liquid introduced thereinwhen said valve stem is returned to a valve closed position, such bodyof air functioning to effect discharge of liquid wax from said chamberthrough said outlet when said valve is moved upward from a valve closedposition.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said first mechanismcomprises structure defining a chamber 5 having an inlet through whichliquid wax is adapted to flow from said container and means whereby ameasured quantity of liquid wax is introduced into said chamber fromsaid container eachtime said valve stem is returned to a valve closedposition and such measured quantity of liquid wax is discharged fromsaid chamber through the outlet of said container each time the valvestem is moved upward from a valve closed position, said last-mentionedmeans including a disc mounted on said valve stem which is movable toand from a closed position at the inlet, said disc moving to a closedposition at the inlet each time the valve stem is moved upward from avalve closed position and moving downward to a disc open position eachtime the valve stem returns to its valve closed position, and saidstructure being so constructed and arranged that said chamber is incommunication with the atmosphere only at said outlet after liquid waxhas been discharged therefrom whereby a body of air is trapped in saidchamber above liquid wax introduced therein when said valve stem movesdownward to a disc open position and returns to its valve closedposition, such body of air functioning to effect discharge of liquid waxfrom said chamber when said disc moves to its closed position and saidvalve moves upward from its valve closed position.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 which includes resilient means forurging said valve stem downward to a valve closed position and disc openposition.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said container is open atthe bottom and is provided with a cap which is apertured and defines theoutlet, and means whereby said cap is removably connected to saidcontainer at the open bottom thereof, said-first mechanism forming aunitary part of said cap and removable therewith when said cap isremoved from said container.

6. In surface treating apparatus of the class described comprising:

upward from a valve closed position and returned thereto,

f. said first mechanism further including means for imparting upwardmovement to said valve stem, g. second mechanism acting on saidcontainer to prevent the latter from moving upward in said compartmentwhen upward movement is imparted to said valve stem by said movementimpartment means,

h. said first mechanism comprising structure defining a chamber havingan inlet through which liquid wax is adapted to flow from said containerand means whereby a measured quantity of liquid wax is introduced intosaid chamber from said container each time said valve stem is returnedto a valve closed position and such measured quantity of liquid wax isdischarged from said chamber through the outlet of said container eachtime the valve stem is moved upward from a valve closed position,

i. said last-mentioned means including a disc mounted on said valve stemwhich is movable to and from a closed position at the inlet, said discmoving to a closed position at the inlet each time the valve stem ismoved upward from a valve closed position and moving downward to a discopen position each time the valve stem returns to its closed position,

j. said container being open at the bottom and provided with a cap whichis apertured and defines the outlet,

k. means whereby said cap is removably connected to said container atthe open bottom thereof,

1. said first mechanism forming a unitary part of said cap and removabletherewith when said cap is removed from said container,

m. said first mechanism including an inverted U- shaped part of annularform having spaced inner and outer walls,

n. said inner wall having a first length and forming a passageway whichterminates at an opening defining the inlet against which said discseats in its closed position,

0. said outer wall being longer than said inner wall and extending belowthe latter to said cap,

p. said chamber being defined by said outer and inner walls and saidcap.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which the upper ends of saidinner and outer walls are joined to one another, and helical springmeans between said inner and outer walls which extends lengthwise of thevalve stem between the closed end of said walls and said disc andfunctions to urge said valve stem downward to a valve closed positionand disc open position. a:

1. In surface treating apparatus of the class described comprising a.rotatable surface treating means movable over a surface to be treated,b. means including an electric motor for driving said rotatable surfacetreating means, c. a housing having a compartment, d. a container forholding a body of liquid wax, said container being disposed in saidcompartment and having an outlet at the bottom thereof, e. firstmechanism including a vertically movable valve stem and a valve mountedthereon for dispensing a quantity of liquid wax from the outlet of saidcontainer each time the valve stem is moved upward from a valve closedposition and returned thereto, f. said first mechanism further includingmeans for imparting upward movement to said valve stem, g. secondmechanism acting on said container to prevent the latter from movingupward in said compartment when upward movement is imparted to saidvalve stem by said movement impartment means, and h. a control membermovable between first and second positions, such that when said controlmember is in its first position, said second mechanism is inoperable toprevent said container from moving upward in said compartment, and whensaid control member is in its second position, it functions to rendersaid second mechanism operable to prevent said container from movingupward in said compartment.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 inwhich said first mechanism comprises structure defining a chamber andmeans whereby a measured quantity of liquid wax is introduced into saidchamber each time said valve stem is returned to a valve closed positionand such measured quantity of liquid wax is discharged from said chamberthrough the outlet of said container each time the valve stem is movedupward from a valve closed position, said structure being so constructedand arranged that said chamber is in communication with the atmosphereonly through said outlet after liquid wax has been discharged therefromwhereby a body of air is trapped in said chamber above liquid introducedtherein when said valve stem is returned to a valve closed position,such body of air functioning to effect discharge of liquid wax from saidchamber through said outlet when said valve is moved upward from a valveclosed position.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which saidfirst mechanism comprises structure defining a chamber having an inletthrough which liquid wax is adapted to flow from said container andmeans whereby a measured quantity of liquid wax is introduced into saidchamber from said container each time said valve stem is returned to avalve closed positiOn and such measured quantity of liquid wax isdischarged from said chamber through the outlet of said container eachtime the valve stem is moved upward from a valve closed position, saidlast-mentioned means including a disc mounted on said valve stem whichis movable to and from a closed position at the inlet, said disc movingto a closed position at the inlet each time the valve stem is movedupward from a valve closed position and moving downward to a disc openposition each time the valve stem returns to its valve closed position,and said structure being so constructed and arranged that said chamberis in communication with the atmosphere only at said outlet after liquidwax has been discharged therefrom whereby a body of air is trapped insaid chamber above liquid wax introduced therein when said valve stemmoves downward to a disc open position and returns to its valve closedposition, such body of air functioning to effect discharge of liquid waxfrom said chamber when said disc moves to its closed position and saidvalve moves upward from its valve closed position.
 4. Apparatus as setforth in claim 3 which includes resilient means for urging said valvestem downward to a valve closed position and disc open position. 5.Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said container is open at thebottom and is provided with a cap which is apertured and defines theoutlet, and means whereby said cap is removably connected to saidcontainer at the open bottom thereof, said first mechanism forming aunitary part of said cap and removable therewith when said cap isremoved from said container.
 6. In surface treating apparatus of theclass described comprising a. rotatable surface treating means movableover a surface to be treated, b. means including an electric motor fordriving said rotatable surface treating means, c. a housing having acompartment, d. a container for holding a body of liquid wax, saidcontainer being disposed in said compartment and having an outlet at thebottom thereof, e. first mechanism including a vertically movable valvestem and a valve mounted thereon for dispensing a quantity of liquid waxfrom the outlet of said container each time the valve stem is movedupward from a valve closed position and returned thereto, f. said firstmechanism further including means for imparting upward movement to saidvalve stem, g. second mechanism acting on said container to prevent thelatter from moving upward in said compartment when upward movement isimparted to said valve stem by said movement impartment means, h. saidfirst mechanism comprising structure defining a chamber having an inletthrough which liquid wax is adapted to flow from said container andmeans whereby a measured quantity of liquid wax is introduced into saidchamber from said container each time said valve stem is returned to avalve closed position and such measured quantity of liquid wax isdischarged from said chamber through the outlet of said container eachtime the valve stem is moved upward from a valve closed position, i.said last-mentioned means including a disc mounted on said valve stemwhich is movable to and from a closed position at the inlet, said discmoving to a closed position at the inlet each time the valve stem ismoved upward from a valve closed position and moving downward to a discopen position each time the valve stem returns to its closed position,j. said container being open at the bottom and provided with a cap whichis apertured and defines the outlet, k. means whereby said cap isremovably connected to said container at the open bottom thereof, l.said first mechanism forming a unitary part of said cap and removabletherewith when said cap is removed from said container, m. said firstmechanism including an inverted U-shaped part of annular form havingspaced inner and outer walls, n. said inner wall having a first lengthand forming a passageway which terminates at an openinG defining theinlet against which said disc seats in its closed position, o. saidouter wall being longer than said inner wall and extending below thelatter to said cap, p. said chamber being defined by said outer andinner walls and said cap.
 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in whichthe upper ends of said inner and outer walls are joined to one another,and helical spring means between said inner and outer walls whichextends lengthwise of the valve stem between the closed end of saidwalls and said disc and functions to urge said valve stem downward to avalve closed position and disc open position.